OF belbohne. 
297 
LETTER LX. 
TO THE HONOUEABLE DAINES BARRINGTON. 
N reading Dr. Huxham's Observationes de 
Aere/' &c. written at Plymouth, I find by 
those curious and accurate remarks, v/hich con- 
tain an account of the weather from the year 
1727 to the year 1748 inclusive, that though 
there is frequent rain in that district of Devonshire, yet the 
quantity falling is not great : and that some years it has 
been very small; for in 1731 the rain measured only 17*266 
inches; and in 1741, 20*354; and again in 1743, only 
20*908. Places near the sea have frequent scuds, that keep 
the atmosphere moist, yet do not reach far up into the 
country ; making thus the maritime situations appear wet, 
when the rain is not considerable. In the wettest years at 
Plymouth the doctor measured only once 36 ; and again 
once, viz. 1734, 37*114: a quantity of rain that has twice 
been exceeded at Selborne in the short period of my obser- 
vations. Dr. Huxham remarks, that frequent small rains 
keep the air moist ; while heavy ones render it more dry, 
by beating down the vapours. He is also of opinion that 
the dingy, smoky appearance in the sky, in very dry seasons, 
arises from the want of moisture sufficient to let the light 
through, and render the atmosphere transparent ; because 
he had observed several bodies more diaphanous when wet 
than dry ; and did never recollect that the air had that look 
in rainy seasons. 
My friend, who lives just beyond the top of the down, 
brought his three swivel guns to try them in my outlet, with 
their muzzles towards the Hanger, supposing that the report 
would have had a great effect ; but the experiment did not 
answer his expectation. He then removed them to the 
Alcove on the Hanger ; when the sound, rushing along the 
Lythe and Comb Wood, was very grand ; but it was at the 
Hermitage that the echoes and repercussions delighted the 
